Pep Guardiola is confident that Manchester City "will be back" to their best and has admitted that he must 'prove himself' as he bids to quickly turn his side's fortunes around.
The Citizens have not won any of their last six matches across all competitions - their worst run in over eight years which includes five successive losses and one draw, with 17 goals conceded in the process.
A heavy 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend - City's third consecutive Premier League loss - was followed by a calamitous 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday in which they threw away a three-goal lead with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Guardiola and co return to Premier League action on Sunday when they travel to Anfield for a challenging top-of-the-table showdown with in-form leaders Liverpool, who can move 11 points clear of the reigning champions with a victory.
The Catalan coach gave his players two days off following their disastrous draw with Feyenoord, and they will all reconvened for their first training on Friday afternoon in preparation for what could prove to be a pivotal contest in the Premier League title race on Merseyside.
Guardiola: 'It's not realistic to think about big targets'
Asked whether the Premier League title race would be over for his Man City side if they lose to Liverpool, Guardiola told reporters on Friday: "In the situation we are in, it is not realistic to think about big targets.
"The situation is to think about the next game and getting the momentum to continue and that will come back. Even in good situations, thinking about winning the title in November/December was not realistic.
"Liverpool are a team that have lost just one game, they are in such good form and are so powerful in all departments, especially in the boxes.
"I always think about our targets in April/May. It will be more difficult for us if we don't get a result on Sunday, but still there are many, many games to play."
Guardiola, who has labelled Liverpool as "one of the best" teams in the world at present, shrugged off suggestions that his team are in crisis, suggesting that the media have placed this tag on his team, and the "truth" is that his team will eventually return to winning ways.
"It is up to [the media if City are in crisis], whatever you text and write," said Guardiola. "We are second in the table. I've said many times that maybe we have to live as a club, as a team - live these kind of situations.
"We will be back, I know that. I don't know when, that is the truth.
Guardiola: 'Man City must accept the reality and challenge it'
"You can judge the situation that we are in - when the team has controlled the Premier League for many years - it's normal that the situation happens. It's about how we stand up again and again and again, whatever happens.
"We have done it in the past and hopefully we can start to do it again."
Guardiola, who signed a new two-year contract extension earlier this month, gave a near four-minute answer to the final question at his press conference, expressing his need to prove himself, rebuild his team and find a solution to rectify Man City's form.
"Of course, I am thinking what I can do to help them, but in the long career as a player and a manager you live these situations. When you live it, accept it and challenge it. No complaining, no blaming, no pointing the figure or running from your responsibility. If you don't win, you're in trouble, I know that.
"People rely on me, it is not normal for big clubs to have our results, but what you have to do is accept it. It's for sure; I want to stay! I want to do it! The moment I feel I am not positive for the club, another manager will come, but I want the opportunity.
Guardiola: 'I have to prove myself now, I have to find a solution'
"I want the opportunity to try it and I want to rebuild the team in many aspects from now on until the end of the season and the next seasons, to try to continue. I ask for that challenge and this opportunity to do it.
"I know what we need, what we have to do. We don't have the consistency we had right now but which team during 10 years in the world has been consistent, tell me one? They don't exist - not in NBA, tennis, golf. It is not nice to leave it but what do you expect?
"It proves how we are as sportsmen and competitors. It is easiest when you have 10 to 12 games in a row and everyone is fit and in their prime.
"I have to prove myself now. What should we do? Cry all the time because Rodri is not there? Or the four central defenders have not been there for a long time in the last months? I have to find a solution, I have to find a way to do it, and I am trying every day."
Meanwhile, Guardiola was unable to provide an update on the fitness of his squad, with John Stones (unspecified) and Jeremy Doku (thigh) both doubts ahead of the trip to Liverpool, while Rodri (ACL), Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Mateo Kovacic (unspecified) all remain sidelined. body check tags ::
